I was recently asked to create a couple of sites for my friends businesses, I screenshot a couple of themes and showed them to the clients. I even chopped them up and changed some colors to show them what their site could look like. They chose one and then I bought the theme and customized it. It took me two weeks (Wordpress learning curve) and I charged £800.

Does anyone actually do this as a business model? and do you have any issues? Like can I actually say I will design the client a website if i’m using a theme? Are you more open?

probably has separate accounts in case he get’s any flack for this topic
Personally, I really could care less if people are buying my template.. customizing it… and implementing it into a site and charging money… but I could see other author’s being against it. Might be a good idea to just ask first.

I was recently asked to create a couple of sites for my friends businesses, I screenshot a couple of themes and showed them to the clients. I even chopped them up and changed some colors to show them what their site could look like. They chose one and then I bought the theme and customized it. It took me two weeks (Wordpress learning curve) and I charged £800.

Does anyone actually do this as a business model? and do you have any issues? Like can I actually say I will design the client a website if i’m using a theme? Are you more open?

or do you just use the themes for personal stuff?

Would really like some insight, Cheers

When you purchase a template you have one license (per purchase) to use that template as you wish. That includes editing, completely redesigning, or whatever else if you want.

What you tell your clients is up to you but I would personally never take credit for someone else’s work. I know what it feels like when someone takes my work and takes credit for it, it sucks. Plus, you are lying to your client and that can come back to haunt you when you least expect it.

I tell my clients to either have a look around ThemeForest to find something they like or I find something for them to fit their needs. I make it clear to them that I am not the one that designed/coded the original template but I will be the one to customize it for them. It definitely makes it easier to help out those clients on a very limited budget that can’t afford to pay me to design and code something unique just for them.